Michael's route out of Sumlin's doghouse comes to crossroads

Updated 11:57 pm, Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Coach Kevin Sumlin says Christine Michael’s 230 rushing yards last year against Arkansas has “no bearing on this year.”

Coach Kevin Sumlin says Christine Michael’s 230 rushing yards last year against Arkansas has “no bearing on this year.”

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle

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Texas A&M running back Christine Michael had 13 carries against Florida but was suspended for the next game at SMU.

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael had 13 carries against Florida but was suspended for the next game at SMU.

Photo: Dave Einsel, Associated Press

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Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) rushes for a gain as Florida defensive lineman Dominique Easley, left, and linebacker Darrin Kitchens, right, defend during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M begins a new era with its first Southeastern Conference game after leaving the Big 12 Conference. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

University of Florida linebacker Jelani Jenkins (3) helmet flies off as he tackles Texas A&M University running back Christine Michael (33) during the first quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at Kyle Field in College Station.

University of Florida linebacker Jelani Jenkins (3) helmet flies off as he tackles Texas A&M University running back Christine Michael (33) during the first quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept.

Texas A&M University running back Christine Michael (33) and the Texas A&M University football team walk off the field after loosing to University of Florida in a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at Kyle Field in College Station. The University of Florida won 20-17.

Texas A&M University running back Christine Michael (33) and the Texas A&M University football team walk off the field after loosing to University of Florida in a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 8,

Texas A&M University running back Christine Michael (33) looks to power run past University of Florida defensive lineman Dominique Easley (2) and University of Florida linebacker Darrin Kitchens (49) during the first quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at Kyle Field in College Station.

Texas A&M University running back Christine Michael (33) looks to power run past University of Florida defensive lineman Dominique Easley (2) and University of Florida linebacker Darrin Kitchens (49) during

Texas A&M University running back Christine Michael (33) and the Texas A&M University football team walk off the field after loosing to University of Florida in a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at Kyle Field in College Station. The University of Florida won 20-17.

Texas A&M University running back Christine Michael (33) and the Texas A&M University football team walk off the field after loosing to University of Florida in a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 8,

In 2009, the home uniform for Christine Michael and the Aggies had a grey stripe laid over a wide maroon stripe on the pants. (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

In 2009, the home uniform for Christine Michael and the Aggies had a grey stripe laid over a wide maroon stripe on the pants. (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

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FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2010, file photo, Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) tries to gain yardage as Missouri defender Brad Madison (57) reaches for him during the first half of an NCAA college football game in College Station, Texas. Madison had three sacks in the game. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2010, file photo, Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) tries to gain yardage as Missouri defender Brad Madison (57) reaches for him during the first half of an NCAA college

Oklahoma linebacker Travis Lewis (28) tackles Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla. on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011.

Oklahoma linebacker Travis Lewis (28) tackles Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla. on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011.

Photo: AP

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Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) goes horizontal after Missouri defensive back Randy Ponder (7) as Ryan Swope (25) follows after Ponder intercepted a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, in College Station, Texas. Missouri won in overtime 38-31.

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) goes horizontal after Missouri defensive back Randy Ponder (7) as Ryan Swope (25) follows after Ponder intercepted a pass during the second half of an NCAA

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) runs from Iowa State defensive back Jacques Washington (10) and defensive back Ter'Ran Benton (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, in Ames, Iowa. Texas A&M won 33-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) gets past the Arkansas defense to score a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) gets past the Arkansas defense to score a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) is forced out-of-bounds by Idaho linebacker Homer Mauga (19) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) is forced out-of-bounds by Idaho linebacker Homer Mauga (19) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, in College

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) dives over SMU's Ryan Smith, bottom, as Taylor Reed (44) helps during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, in College

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael is aiming for 1,000 yards after notching 844 as a freshman last season.

Texas A&M running back Christine Michael is aiming for 1,000 yards after notching 844 as a freshman last season.

Photo: Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

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Texas A&M's Christine Michael (33) beats Stephen F Austin's Ben Wells (2) to the goal line for a 17-yard touchdown during the first quarter on Sept. 4. The Aggies won the opener 48-7, and Michael had 105 yards and two TDs and he added a 46-yard reception.

Texas A&M's Christine Michael (33) beats Stephen F Austin's Ben Wells (2) to the goal line for a 17-yard touchdown during the first quarter on Sept. 4. The Aggies won the opener 48-7, and Michael had 105

Christine Michael runs into the end zone, but it was ruled he stepped out at the 4 yard line after a 46-yard reception during the third quarter against Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 4. Michael scored on a 4-yard run on the next play.

Christine Michael runs into the end zone, but it was ruled he stepped out at the 4 yard line after a 46-yard reception during the third quarter against Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 4. Michael scored on a 4-yard

COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M running back Christine Michael, one of the Aggies' few five-star recruits over the past decade, is at a crossroads in his college career — four games into his senior season.

Michael has two choices, starting with Arkansas on Saturday: fasten his chinstrap and play as his new coaches demand, or simply fade into the background while younger players earn the valuable carries in Southeastern Conference play.

“We'd like to get him more involved as we go,” offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said Tuesday. “We'll see if that happens.”

In a prime example of the tough love Michael's tutors are showing him early this season, first-year coach Kevin Sumlin said Tuesday that Michael, who former coach Mike Sherman once said had bouts of immaturity, is currently the team's “third back” behind junior Ben Malena and freshman Trey Williams.

“We've got three good backs, and I've said from Day 1 that all three were going to play,” Sumlin said. “Christine hasn't made it through a full season in the last (two) years. He needs the other two backs to play, and we need it from a team standpoint because of his injury issues.”

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Sumlin shrugged off any suggestion that Michael's blocking in particular must improve for more playing time.

“The line of questioning is headed down the wrong road regarding performance,” Sumlin said. “It's hard for you to perform if you're not at the game.”

Michael, along with safety Steven Campbell, missed A&M's 48-3 whipping of SMU on Sept. 15 after the duo was suspended for “violating team rules.” Michael posted on his Twitter account during the game, “Man run the ball,” and Sumlin later said he had a “conversation” with Michael about the tweet.

Michael wasn't made available to the media Tuesday. He didn't play until the second half of last Saturday's 70-14 hammering of South Carolina State because, as Sumlin said, he's the team's “third back.” The coach also said Malena will earn the start (for the third straight game) against the Razorbacks. A year ago, Michael rushed for 230 yards in the Aggies' 42-38 loss to Arkansas, tying for third-best in history by an A&M back in a game.

“It has no bearing on this year,” Sumlin said of Michael's impressive showing last season against the Razorbacks.

This season, Michael has 59 yards on 20 carries. Freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel leads the team in rushing with 262 yards on 38 carries. Michael did carry the load among the running backs in the opener against Florida, a 20-17 loss, prior to his apparent off-field team rules violation.

“He had (13) carries in that first game,” Sumlin said. “Twice as many as any other running back when you play three.”

Michael (5-foot-11, 220 pounds) is by far the biggest runner of the trio, as Malena and Williams are each 5-8 and 195 and 185, respectively. Michael's size and strength are things the Aggies know they'll need to keep their running game humming, with the meat of SEC play ahead.